In This Issue

News - Region

PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS SYRIA SANCTIONS BILL
"President George W. Bush late [Dec 12] signed a bill aiming to punish Syria for alleged terrorist links and purported efforts to obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The bill provides for economic and diplomatic sanctions to be imposed on Syria, but also gives Bush the option of waiving penalties.. ..The bill bans trade in items that could be used in weapons programs until the administration certifies that Syria is not supporting terrorist groups, has withdrawn 20,000 troops from Lebanon, is not developing unconventional weapons and has secured its border with Iraq.." Complete report..

GCC MEETING IN RIYADH TO DISCUSS BAN ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS
"The Foreign Ministry's Assistant Undersecretary for Political Affairs and Chairman of the International Organizations Department Prince Torki bin Muhammad bin Saud Al-Kabeer.. ..opened a regional workshop in Riyadh [Dec 8] for the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Addressing the three-day event, Prince Torki said the agreement to dismantle chemical weapons, which went into force in April 1997, represents a significant landmark on how to get rid of weapons of mass destruction.." Complete report..

CRITICS CONDEMN IRAQ CONTRACT BAN
"Countries set to be excluded from multi-billion reconstruction contracts in Iraq have questioned the logic of a formal ban being imposed by the US.  Old US allies and Russia stand to lose lucrative contracts because they opposed the US-led war. France said it was studying the ban's legality, while the German Government described it as 'unacceptable'. But Washington has firmly defended its decision, describing it as 'appropriate and reasonable'.." Complete report..
Also:
US LINKS CONTRACTS TO FUTURE ASSISTANCE

ANNAN RULES OUT U.N. RETURN TO IRAQ IN NEAR FUTURE
"U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on [Dec 10] said Iraq was still too dangerous for U.N. international staff to return but indicated he was willing to play a bigger role once the U.S.-led occupation ended.. ..He announced the appointment of an expert in humanitarian affairs, Ross Mountain of New Zealand, who would serve as an interim chief of mission until a special representative is appointed to replace Sergio Vieira de Mello, one of 22 people killed in the Aug. 19 bombing of U.N. headquarters in Baghdad.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
UN REVIEWS BAGHDAD OPERATIONS - GWD Nov 3, 2003

ABDULLAH, IRAQI MINISTER HOLD TALKS
"Crown Prince Abdullah.. ..held talks [Dec. 13] with Iraq's interim Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari. The talks, which were attended by Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, focused on Saudi Arabia's involvement in the rebuilding of the war-torn country and other issues. Zebari is on a regional tour of the Gulf States seeking aid and assistance for the country's reconstruction.." Complete report..

JAPAN BACKS IRAQ TROOPS DISPATCH
"Japan's cabinet has approved sending up to 1,000 non-combat troops to Iraq, its biggest deployment since World War II.  In line with Japan's pacifist constitution, the troops will only be allowed to play a humanitarian role.  But the plan is highly controversial, especially after two Japanese diplomats were killed in Tikrit last month.. ..No timeframe has been given. Mr. Koizumi has vowed to dispatch the troops as soon as the situation is secure.." Complete report..

IRAQ COUNCIL VOTES TO THROW OUT IRANIAN OPPOSITION GROUP
"Iraq's Governing Council voted [Dec 9] to expel the leading Iranian opposition group and confiscate its assets, a surprise move that could alter the regional balance of power. The resolution calls for the eviction of the group's 3,800 members by the end of the month.. ..The Iraqi council's unanimous decision against the People's Mujaheddin, or MEK, is a significant political and security gain for Iran and could marginalize the group.. ..The MEK, which mixes Marxism and Islam, has been on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations since 1999, but some administration hawks had argued that the group could form the basis for an effort to pressure or change the regime in Tehran.." Complete report..

IRAQI REFUGEES RETURN HOME
"More than 400 Iraqi refugees have left the Rafha refugee camp in northern Saudi Arabia after spending 13 years there.. ..the group left in a convoy of eight buses and 11 trucks for Kuwait, where authorities will take charge of the refugees before handing them to British forces who control southern Iraq.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Links~~
244 IRAQI REFUGEES TO GO HOME THIS WEEK - GWD Aug 4, 2003

FINGERPRINTING A MUST FOR ALL US VISA APPLICANTS
"The US Consulate General has begun collecting fingerprints of visa applicants regardless of nationality. All applicants are required to undergo an electronic scan of each index finger as part of the application process. The new biometric identification procedure is designed to combat visa fraud and forgery.. ..According to a consular press release, the new procedure was developed in response to a Congressional mandate.." Complete report..

BAHRAIN EASES RESIDENCY RULE FOR GCC-BASED EXPATRIATES
"High-level expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia can now relocate their families to Bahrain easier than ever, a senior immigration official told Gulf News. The expatriates, who hold senior position in their Saudi-based companies, including managers, doctors and engineers, can now bring in their families to live in Bahrain without having to get a Bahraini sponsor, Sheikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa.. ..'They can use their Saudi-based companies as their sponsors in Bahrain,' he explained.." Complete report..

ASDF ADVANCE TEAM TO VISIT QATAR, KUWAIT ON DEC 25
"Japan plans to send an advance team of about 10 Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) personnel to Qatar and Kuwait on Dec 25 under a special law that allows for the dispatch of Japanese troops to aid the reconstruction of Iraq.." Complete report..

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News - Bahrain

KING DECORATES ARROYO WITH TOP BAHRAIN MEDAL
"His Majesty King Hamad last night decorated visiting Philippines President Gloria Arroyo with the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Medal First Class. The King also hosted a dinner banquet in honor of President Arroyo and her delegation.." Complete report..

NEW BAHRAIN UNIVERSITY TO OPEN IN FEBRUARY
"A new private university in Bahrain, specializing in information technology and business, is set to open its campus in February.. ..The university will be open to students interested in receiving an education in Business Administration, Information Technology, Finance, and Computer Sciences leading to a Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees, offered in all of these subjects.." Complete report..

SAFE HOUSES FOR ABUSED
"Bahrain is to set up safe houses for foreign workers who are abused by their employers. They will provide refuge to housemaids or any other migrant worker who is abused.. ..the shelters would be funded by the Bahrain government and provide temporary accommodation for expatriate workers who are mistreated by their employers.." Complete report..

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News - Kuwait

US ARMY TRUCKS ATTACKED IN KUWAIT
"Gunmen have fired at two US military truck convoys in Kuwait, slightly injuring four US soldiers. The injuries were caused by flying glass from the vehicles' windows.. ..The convoys, traveling on separate roads, came under fire at 1415 GMT and 1445 GMT.. ..The last anti-American attack in Kuwait before Sunday's shootings came in January, when a US civil contractor was killed and another wounded near a US base.." Complete report..
Also:
U.S. CONVOYS ATTACKED IN KUWAIT, 4 SOLDIERS HURT
~~GulfWire Link~~
KUWAITI CONFESSES TO KILLING AMERICAN - GWD Jan 20, 2003

LETTER BOMB INJURES EDITOR'S SECRETARY
"A letter bomb blew up in the hands of a secretary to the editor of a leading Kuwaiti newspaper [Dec 10], wounding him in the face. Walid Dahdouh suffered face cuts and police evacuated the building of Al Siyassah.. ..It was addressed to Ahmed Al Jarrallah, the paper's editor-in-chief, and was post-marked Beirut, Lebanon.. ..The letter bomb was not the first attack on Al Jarrallah. In 1985 he survived an attempt to kill him for which Palestinian militants were thought to be responsible.." Complete report..
Also:
LETTER BOMB TARGETS OUTSPOKEN KUWAIT EDITOR 
KUWAIT INTERCEPTS THREE MORE LETTER BOMBS

KUWAITI PM, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HAIL BLACKOUT ON CONTROVERSIAL TAPE
"The Kuwaiti prime minister and parliament speaker [Dec 9] praised a decision by local dailies not to publish news about an audiotape by a Muslim Shiite activist that infuriated the Sunni majority here.. .. The audiotape is reported to contain remarks highly abusive of Islam's first two Caliphs, Abu Bakr Al Siddiq and Omar Ben Al Khattab, the Prophet Mohammad's two most senior companions who are revered by Sunnis but not the Shiites. The man who made the recording and put it on sale has been arrested and remanded in jail for 21 days pending a trial.." Complete report..

AUSTRALIA OPENS FIRST EMBASSY IN KUWAIT IN 2004 
"Australia will open an embassy here for the first time in December, 2004, Australian Minister of Trade and Commerce Mark Vaile told KUNA on [Dec 7] before leaving the country after a two day visit.. ..He said Kuwait had the distinction of being an appropriate gate to doing business with countries of the Gulf region, especially Iraq , which he affirmed was on the threshold of becoming a hub of economic prosperity in the Gulf area.." Complete report..

EXTRADITION TREATY WITH INDIA
"India will sign an extradition treaty with Kuwait, which provides a legal framework for extraditing fugitive offenders including those facing charges of economic crimes.. ..Under the treaty, any person accused or convicted of an extraditable offence, shall be extradited whether such offence was committed before or after its entry into force.." Complete report..

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News - Oman

PAKISTAN TO RAISE DEPORTEES' TORTURE ISSUE
"Islamabad is to take up with the authorities of Oman the allegations made by Pakistanis deported [Dec 11] that they were tortured in Muscat jails. As many as 1,025 Pakistanis returned home by sea on Wednesday, after they had been jailed for illegal entry and employment in Muscat. Many of them showed the marks of torture on their backs, which they say they received while in jail.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
OMAN DEPORTS 850 PAKISTANIS - GWD Sep 15, 2003
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News - Qatar

EDUCATION TRADESHOW
"A total of 24 renowned universities and colleges from various parts of the UK are showcasing the educational degrees and courses they offer at this year's Education UK Exhibition (Edukex- 2003), which opened at the Ramada Hotel here [Doha Dec 9]. The annual event is hosted by the British Council Doha.." Complete report..

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News - Saudi Arabia

SILENT RELIEF IN SAUDI ARABIA AT SADDAM'S FALL 
"Finally rid of a menacing neighbor, Saudi Arabia has greeted the U.S. capture of Saddam Hussein with silent relief tinged with concern over Washington's future plans for Iraq and the Gulf. In stark contrast to Kuwait, the tiny emirate briefly occupied by Saddam's forces 13 years ago, there was no jubilation in Saudi streets and the kingdom's rulers marked a final chapter in the Iraqi leader's demise without comment.." Complete report..

SENATE OKS OIL LOBBYIST FOR SAUDI POST
"The Senate on [Dec 9] confirmed Texas oil lobbyist James Oberwetter to be ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Oberwetter, 59, promised in his confirmation hearings to encourage democratic reforms and tolerance for other religions if confirmed. But he'll also be expected by some in Congress to foster more cooperation from Saudi Arabia in fighting terrorism.." Complete report..
Also:
NEW US ENVOY MAY TAKE CHARGE NEXT MONTH

BANDAR COUNSELS PATIENCE ON REFORMS
"Prince Bandar ibn Sultan, Saudi ambassador to the US, has highlighted the Kingdom's role in combating terrorism. In a speech during a party hosted by the Houston Council for International Affairs and the James Baker Institute for the Public Policy, Prince Bandar hailed the cooperation between the US and Saudi Arabia to face down terrorism.. ..The prince said the Kingdom was moving forward with social and political reforms but counseled patience. "If you really are our friends... don't rush us,'.." Complete report..

BACKGROUND OF THE MOST WANTED TERRORISTS
"In coordination with the government and in an effort to rid the Kingdom of terrorists, Arab News is publishing some background information on the terror suspects.." Complete report..
Also:
BACKGROUND OF THE MOST WANTED TERRORISTS: PART 2
BACKGROUND OF THE MOST WANTED TERRORISTS: PART 3
BACKGROUND OF THE MOST WANTED TERRORISTS: PART 4

TERRORIST GUNNED DOWN
"One of the Kingdom's most wanted terrorists was killed and another arrested following a shootout with security forces in Al-Suwaidy in south Riyadh [Dec 8].  An official from the Interior Ministry named the victim as Ibrahim ibn Mohammed ibn Abdullah Al-Rayyes.. ..He was one of a list of 26 published this week who are sought by the security forces for their role in the Al-Muhaya suicide attacks on Nov. 8.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Links~~
REWARDS POSTED FOR TERRORISTS - GWD Dec 8, 2003

SAUDIS PAY REWARD FOR MILITANT TIP-OFF
"Saudi Arabia, which is offering cash rewards for information which thwarts militant attacks, has paid $270,000 for a tip-off which led to the killing of one of the country's top suspects.. ..Interior Ministry officials said the money was paid on Tuesday, a day after the death of Ibrahim Al Rayes in a shootout at a Riyadh petrol station, but gave no details about the informant.. ..[Dec 10] payment was the first awarded since the Saudi government promised rewards a week ago of up to $1.9 million.." Complete report..

BUSH'S IRAQ A MAGNET FOR TERRORISTS - SAUDI ENVOY
"Far from quelling a terrorist threat, President Bush's war on Iraq created a new one, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Britain said on [Dec 11]. 'When the United States and Britain invaded Iraq, the promise of bringing peace and security was important in the expositions of both the American and British leaderships,' Prince Turki al-Faisal said. 'Unfortunately, that promise still has to be realized. The daily firefights, explosions and violence are making even those who believed the initial promise skeptical'.." Complete report.. 

EMBASSIES REVIEW SECURITY DETAILS
"A string of attacks in the Kingdom, the most recent being the suicide attack on Al-Muhayya Compound in Riyadh on Nov. 8, has forced foreign embassies to review their security details and upgrade safety precautions. Most foreign missions have also canceled their national day celebrations, official receptions, commercial events as well as social, cultural and community programs in view of security threats.." Complete report..

LETTER FROM DHAHRAN: SAUDIS GET A TASTE OF HIGH SECURITY
"Saudi Arabia has entered a new phase in its war on terror. Virtually no day passes without a report of any extremist related incidence. Security is at all time high.. ..But it seems despite the almost daily crackdown on the militants, they are still some way from being overpowered. The list of 26 most wanted, released earlier this week, had many new names. Those names were never heard of or implicated earlier wanted.. ..This is a very stark development in real sense.." Complete report..

SWISS UNCOVER AL-QAEDA CELLS PLANNING ATTACKS IN KINGDOM
"Swiss security forces have uncovered a number of Al-Qaeda cells planning terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia.. ..The Swiss authorities were alerted to the terrorist cells while tapping telephone conversations of Khaled Sheikh Muhammad, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks. Khaled Sheikh was arrested in Pakistan last March and has been extradited to the US.." Complete report..

BIN-HUMAID WELCOMES DECISION TO EMPOWER SHOURA COUNCIL
"Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid has hailed a royal decree strengthening the 120-member consultative body and said it showed the government was serious about reforms.. ..'These changes have given more powers to the council, provided greater flexibility in its performance and widened its area of influence in issues concerning citizens and the nation'.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Links~~
REGIONAL COUNCILS TO HAVE MORE POWERS: SULTAN - GWD Dec 1, 2003

AL-KHALDI RECANTS CONTROVERSIAL FATWAS
"Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khaldi, known for his extremist views, has become the third religious scholar to recant his fatwas encouraging terrorism. In a pre-recorded interview aired on Saudi Arabian Television [Dec 14], Al-Khaldi said his edicts sanctioning armed resistance against the police and intelligence officers were based on 'wrong assumptions'.. ..Al-Khaldi was arrested along with Sheikh Nasser Al-Fahd and Sheikh Ali Al-Khudair after they urged Saudis not to cooperate with security forces trying to track down suspects behind the May bombings in Riyadh. All three have now recanted.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
KHUDAIR REPENTS SUPPORTING TERROR ATTACKS - GWD Nov 24, 2003

SAUDIS SEEK COURTESY IN RELIGIOUS POLICE
"Saudi Arabia's religious police - long resented for intimidating people and meddling in the tiniest details of life - are being trained to be more courteous in their job of enforcing the kingdom's strict version of Islamic law.. ..Sheik Ibrahim al-Ghaith, chief of the 5,000-man religious police, told The Associated Press in a rare interview with the Western media that modernizing the agency and making it more professional is a priority.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
SPECIAL TRAINING FOR RELIGIOUS POLICE - GWD Jun 16, 2003

KING FAHD CALLS FOR STREAMLINING FATWAS
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd [Dec 13] called on Islamic scholars to counter extremism and misguided religious edicts by correcting Islamic thinking and streamlining fatwas.. ..the king said scholars must 'highlight the dangers which extremism poses to Muslim faith and conduct,'.." Complete report..

SCHUMER: BOOT SAUDI DIPLOS
"Charles Schumer wants the State Department to expel two Saudi diplomats who are set to appear at an Islamic conference in Houston featuring a speaker who has encouraged young Saudis to join al Qaeda. Schumer (D-N.Y.) also raised questions about whether the Saudi Embassy is sincere about following through on its pledge last week to stop sponsoring Islamic Affairs programs that spread fanatical Islam.." Complete report..

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES HITTING BUSH ON TIES TO SAUDI ARABIA
"Seeking to blunt any political gains President Bush derives from the war on terror, Howard Dean and other Democratic presidential hopefuls are making the case that the administration's close ties with Saudi Arabia have led it to overlook a major source of anti-American extremism.  Seizing on a generally low opinion of Saudi Arabia among Americans, the Democrats have portrayed the administration as so wedded to Middle East oil that it is blind to extremism and terror financed by oil profits.." Complete report..

KHOBAR TOWERS BOMBING LAWSUIT HITS SNAG
"The Justice Department has not given permission for the star witnesses to testify in a lawsuit against Iran over a 1996 terrorist bombing, and a judge suggested [Dec 12] that she might dismiss the case. Former FBI Director Louis Freeh and the agency's former counter terror chief, Dale Watson, want to testify.. .. The hang-up, attorney Hank Walther said, is lack of permission for the two men's testimony from the highest levels of the Justice Department.. ..A message left at the Justice Department late [Dec 12] was not returned.." Complete report..

3 WOMEN AMONG 36 SENTENCED FOR AL-OLAYA PROTESTS
"A Riyadh court has sentenced 36 citizens including three women to 55 days in prison for demonstrating in Riyadh two months ago.. ..The group held a protest rally on Oct. 14 in response to calls from an exiled dissident group. Interior Minister Prince Naif had warned anyone staging demonstrations in violation of the law would be punished.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI POLICE QUASH PROTEST RALLY - GWD Oct 20, 2003

MEDICS ABROAD HAVE TO SIT EXAMS TO QUALIFY FOR WORK VISA
"Overseas doctors and medical technicians will have to sit an exam in their countries to qualify for a Saudi work visa, the Saudi Authority for Medical Specialization (SAMS) has announced. The new rule, effective from Jan. 1, comes after reports that medical practitioners from some African and Asian countries failed exams conducted by the authority here or were found to have fake qualifications.." Complete report..

BAN ON ALLOCATION OF LAND FOR FARMING
"The government has imposed a five-year ban on the allocation of public land for farming to address the increasing water shortage. The national water plan by the Ministry of Water and Electricity calls for an overhaul of the current policy of allocating land for agricultural use. Crop production in the Kingdom consumes inordinate quantities of water. Regional officials have been instructed to ensure the moratorium is enforced.." Complete report..

FIRE AT JEBEL ALI OIL WASTE DISPOSAL UNIT SPARKS HEALTH CONCERNS
"A massive fire erupted in an oil waste disposal and treatment complex in Jebel Ali [Dec 10] billowing huge clouds of black smoke all over the area, raising health and ecological concerns. No injuries were reported in the blaze, which took hours for firefighters to extinguish.." Complete report.. 

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News - UAE

TOP FRENCH AWARD FOR SHAIKH AHMED
"French President Jacques Chirac has honored Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman, with France's highest award. French Transport and Tourism Minister Gilles de Robien  presented Sheikh Ahmed with the "Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Legion d'Honneur" - the Legion of Honor.." Complete report..
Also:
TOP HONOR FOR A DISTINGUISHED CAREER

EMIRATES MILITARY ORDER CONFERRED ON US GENERAL
"President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, conferred the Emirates Military Order First Class on General Michael Moseley, Vice Chief of Staff of the US Air Force.  The honor was bestowed on General Moseley in recognition of his outstanding services to the UAE Armed Forces, which contributed to the reinforcement of cooperation between the UAE and US, particularly in the military sphere.." Complete report..

UAE AND ITALY FORGE NEW BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP
"UAE and Italian authorities [Dec 10] announced the establishment of a new friendship association to promote closer cultural, scientific and social relations. The Emirati-Italian Friendship Association will enhance the ties between the two countries and support joint initiatives in the cultural, humanitarian and scientific domains.." Complete report..

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Link of the Week / GulfWire Flashback - Four Years of GW

LINK OF THE WEEK

ARAB VIEW

Arab View is a collection of articles written by leading journalists and editors in the Middle East. Arab View contains articles from a wide variety of sources. [more]

<<ONE YEAR AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST (#175) WEEK OF DEC 16, 2002

GULF CUSTOMS UNION RECEIVES GO-AHEAD
"Finance ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have confirmed they will launch their customs union on 1 January.. ..The union between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates means a flat 5% tariff will be charged on goods and services across the
trade block.."  

<<TWO YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST (#126) WEEK OF DEC 17, 2001

MANY ARABS NERVOUS ABOUT ATTACK ON IRAQ
"Most Arab governments share the American sentiment that removing Saddam Hussein could much improve the neighborhood. But there is little stomach for watching the United States take war to yet another Islamic nation.." 

<<THREE YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST (#76) WEEK OF DEC 18, 2000

GLOBAL TRENDS 2015: A DIALOGUE ABOUT THE FUTURE WITH NONGOVERNMENT EXPERTS
"Over the past 15 months, the National Intelligence Council (NIC), in close collaboration with US Government specialists and a wide range of experts outside the government, has worked to identify major drivers and trends that will shape the world of 2015."

 <<FOUR YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST (#23) WEEK OF DEC 13, 1999

WOMAN IN MINISTERIAL POST
"A woman in the Education Ministry has been assigned some ministerial functions according to a Kuwait News Agency report cited by Reuters last Tuesday.  Education Minister Youssef al-Ibrahim assigned some ministerial duties -- power to make some appointments and decide some salaries -- to Rasha al-Sabah, an undersecretary in the Ministry.  In November the Kuwaiti Parliament reversed the move to grant political rights to women."

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